- By: Mumyez Syed
- January 17, 2025
- 0 Comments
When there is an elevator to comfort, do not hesitate from the stairs! As people age, they often face mobility challenges, which can make navigating stairs particularly difficult. In places like Dubai, many high-street shops lack elevators, making it even harder for seniors to manage stairs. The height of the steps can make it challenging for elderly individuals to lift their feet and climb. To solve this problem, the platform lifts have become an effective solution.
For instance, these platform lifts make it easy for seniors and people with disabilities to move between the floors of a multi-storey home or a multi-storey office, without any help from others. In this blog, we will explore the benefits, types, and considerations of home modifications aimed at improving stair safety for the elderly, with a special focus on wheelchair-accessible stairs.
Who Are the Most Common Platform Lift Users?
Some seniors can walk on flat surfaces but find it troublesome to ascend or descend stairs due to difficulty in lifting their feet or step height adjustments. Platform lifts make the lives of these people stress-free and convenient.
If we talk about people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters and find it difficult to leave their mobility device to climb stairs, platform lifts are a lifesaver for them. Now some to the point where these platform lifts can be a must to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and elderly people.
Common Situations Requiring Platform Lifts:
In the case of post-surgery or injury recovery, a senior or person with limited mobility finds it hard to climb stairs. In this condition, it is dangerous for elderly people to navigate the stairs of their multi-level homes.
To maintain the stair safety of seniors and their accessibility to every floor, from the basement to the top floor, of their homes, platform lifts are a necessary solution.
What Are Platform Lifts?
A wheelchair platform lift is an elevator-like equipment that helps people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to reach different floors. These lifts typically consist of a platform that travels along a rail system, ensuring a smooth and secure ride.
Platform lifts offer space-efficient solutions for homes and offices of people who have no space for elevators. These platform lifts accommodate wheelchair users who do not have the strength to transfer from a wheelchair to a stair lift to ascend and descend stairs.
Wheelchair platform lifts are designed to provide convenient vertical movement for various staircases like straight, curved, or even outdoor steps. These wheelchair platform lifts travel along a rail system to provide a smooth and secure ride.
Benefits of Platform Lifts for Seniors
You must be wondering what betterment these platform lifts bring to your life. Here, we list some benefits of platform lift that influence your life.
Increased Independence
Platform lifts offer an easy-to-use controlling system that allows the elderly and people with limited mobility to operate easily to move between floors independently. This promotes an active and engaged lifestyle for seniors to retain control over movement without relying on assistance.
Enhanced Home Safety
When it comes to seniors, stairs have significant risk of accidents and injuries. Platform lifts eliminate this risk of injuries by offering a stable, secure alternative to move in the stairs. Platform lifts provide peace of mind by reducing the risk of accidents.
Versatile and Space-Efficient
If you have narrow or tight spaces near straight or curved stairs, platform lifts are the perfect accessibility solution. Many models of platform lifts offer aesthetic options to blend seamlessly with your home decor.
Types of Platform Lifts
Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs)
Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs) are lifts that move vertically, carrying wheelchairs and users between levels. These platform lifts are designed to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and people with mobility challenges.
If you are looking for an elevator-like solution to transport seniors in wheelchairs to different levels of buildings without any structural changes, vertical platform lifts are your go-to option.
To accommodate the distinct needs of people, vertical platform lifts are available in both open and enclosed designs at Manafeth Mobility Solutions. Our vertical platform lifts are equipped with non-slip platforms, safety gates, and emergency stop buttons to ensure a safe upstairs ride for seniors.
Inclined Platform Lifts
Inclined Platform Lifts (IPLs) are lifts that travel along a rail system mounted to the stairs to make the staircase accessible for wheelchair users. These platform lifts are a great option for buildings with limited space or without practical structural changes. Their folding mechanism makes them ideal for narrow staircases. IPLs from trusted suppliers like Manafeth Mobility Solutions come equipped with barrier arms, secure platforms, and smooth operating controls.
Portable Platform Lifts
You don’t wanna make the slightest change at your place and need a quick and easy accessibility solution? Portable Platform Lifts are the perfect choice for temporary or mobile needs. These lifts are lightweight and easy to set up wherever they are needed for both indoor and outdoor use.
These portable lifts are Ideal for temporary spaces with changing accessibility requirements because they can be transported and deployed in minutes. Portable lifts have adjustable height settings and secure platforms to ensure a safe experience for users.
We Rise by Lifting Others!
If you are wondering how to find elite quality with cost-efficient platform lifts in the UAE, Manafeth Mobility Solutions can be your perfect stop. We provide vertical, inclined, and portable platform lifts at prices you can’t imagine without compromising safety and functionality.
Considerations Before Installing a Platform Lift
If you have decided which is the best match for your requirements, consider knowing the prerequisites for installing these platform lifts. For the installation of a platform lift, there are several key considerations you need to take.
Space Requirements: If we talk about a portable platform lift, it does not require fixed space. On the other hand, inclined lifts need more space than traditional stair-climbing aids. Before installing vertical or inclined platform lifts, one must ensure that there is enough room for a lift system to operate smoothly without obstructing other areas.
Structural Support: One of the major considerations before installing a platform lift is structural considerations. Check if the home can support the vertical or inclined platform lift system or if additional stair modifications are required.
Regulatory Compliance: It’s important to ensure before installing a platform lift that the lift complies with local building codes and accessibility standards.
Cost of platform lift
Before deciding on a platform lift, you should gather all the information that’s required. Investing in platform lift is similar to investing in lifetime support. Before installing a platform lift for seniors at your place, one should consider the budget. The price of a platform lift for the elderly can vary depending on factors such as the type, configuration, and model.
On average, the cost of platform lift ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 which includes both installation and delivery charges. But of course, it’s important to note that each home is unique, and variables like space, lift design, and customization options can affect the final price.
To get a more precise solution that is tailored to your specific needs, schedule a FREE in-home consultation with one of our accessibility experts, Manafeth Mobility Solutions. Our team of experts can provide a precise quote based on your home and requirements.
Installation Process
Now, move to the next point, which is the installation process for the platform lift. The platform lift installation process includes assessment, and installation followed by testing to ensure the safety of the elderly and system operates correctly.
- Assessment and Planning: Before installing a platform lift, a professional will assess your home’s specific needs, including space requirements, structural support, and any necessary stair modifications.
- Customization: After that, the lift will be modified to your needs, with options for platform size and additional features like non-slip stair treads or handrail installation.
- Professional Installation: A certified professional team of installers ensures to installation platform lift safely and correctly in no time.
- Testing and Training: Once the platform lift is installed, an qualified team of experts tests the functionality and operation of the platform lift. They will provide you with training on how to use platform lifts properly.
Maintenance and Care
To experience uninterrupted accessibility with platform lifts for the elderly, regular maintenance is important. Proper lubrication of mechanical parts and cleaning of the platform and lift ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the lift. Some of the trusted suppliers offer annual professional inspections of platform lifts, like Manafeth Mobility Solutions.
Our certified technician checks for any mechanical issues and addresses potential wear and tear free of cost before it becomes a problem. If you are interested to look after the lift yourself, then keep the platform and rails free from dust, debris, and obstructions to maintain smooth operation and prevent unnecessary strain on the system.
Additionally, test emergency sensors, emergency stop buttons, and other built-in safety features to ensure they are functioning properly. With regular care and attention, platform lifts can provide years of safe, dependable service, enhancing safe mobility and independence in daily life.
Are Platform Lifts Right for Your Home?
The thought of if platform lift is the right option for your home or not. Platform lifts for the elderly are a valuable investment that reduces reliance on assistance and improves stair safety for seniors. These lifts are ideal for homes as they require minimal home modifications for installation as compared to traditional elevators.
If you are looking for accessibility in your budget without major renovations at your place for easy installation, platform lifts are the perfect option for you. These lifts are space-efficient options customized to fit your needs and blend seamlessly with your staircases.
Whether you’re looking to improve accessibility or provide peace of mind for loved ones, a platform lift is a practical solution to promote safety, comfort, and freedom for seniors at home.
Should I Choose a New, Used, or Rental Stair Lift?
To accommodate various people, platform lifts are available for sale as well as for rent in the UAE. Now the question is, which is best for you? And how can you choose the right pick? To ease your concerns, we review platform lift services to help you choose easily and stress-free.
New Platform lifts
If you need a long-term solution with peace of mind through warranty coverage, then picking a new platform lift is ideal. A new platform lift includes support for parts, components, and labour to ensure reliability and minimize future costs.
With the new platform lift, you can get access to modern features and technology for enhancing safety, convenience, and long-term value.
Used Platform lifts
If you require a reliable platform lift on a budget, a used lift can be a smart choice for you. If you are concerned about safety, inspection, cleaning, and fitting with new batteries, then contact experienced mobility experts like Manafeth Mobility Solutions.
We offer used lifts at affordable costs to improve mobility without compromising reliability. It’s a cost-effective solution for those seeking safe, efficient stair access at a lower price point.
Rental Platform lifts
For short-term mobility needs, renting a platform lift in Dubai is a great option. If you are looking for a platform lift while recovering from surgery or temporary mobility challenges, renting offers a cost-effective solution. Rent platform lift is a wise choice for those needing a lift for less than a year without the long-term commitment of buying.
If you are wondering where to buy or rent, high-quality platform lifts, Manafeth Mobility Solutions got you. We provide innovative new or used platform lifts for sale and rent to facilitate people with limited mobility and elderly people in Dubai.
Lift Your Lifestyle with Platform Lift!
Your home should be a place of freedom, not fear of falls or injury. By choosing the platform lift, you can move freely and confidently without limits. Platform lifts are a lifeline to independence, safety, and comfort for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges.
From vertical lifts for seamless movement between floors to portable options for flexible accessibility, platform lifts can transform your daily life by making every floor accessible. Manafeth Mobility Solutions believes in raising you above mobility challenges with our customized platform lifts and expert guidance because we believe that when accessibility improves, life does, too!
